Monitoring apparatus in game hall

ABSTRACT

A monitoring apparatus in a game hall where a large number of game machines are disposed in lines includes a monitoring video camera, preset monitoring condition memories, drivers, abnormality sensors, a judgement processor and a monitor. The monitoring video camera includes a zoom lens, and is installed at a position for monitoring at least two of the game machines simultaneously. The preset monitoring condition memories store preset monitoring conditions of the monitoring video camera for taking a close-up of each of the game machines through the zoom lens. The drivers set the monitoring video camera according to the preset monitoring conditions and the abnormality sensors monitor a game situation. The judgment processor analyzes information based on the abnormality sensors and upon deciding that an abnormal state exists, controls the driver so as to set the monitoring video camera according to the preset monitoring conditions for the game machine corresponding to the abnormal state. Monitors display the video information of the monitoring video camera on a screen.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus in a game hallwhere a large number of game machines such as slot machines and"pachinko (a Japanese upright pinball game)" machines are disposed inlines.

BACKGROUND ART

A game parlor can suffer losses due to the occurrences of abnormalitiesand some dishonest game players who commit wrongful acts with theintention of gaining game prizes or the like. In order to cope with thesituations, various preventive measures have been proposed (refer to,for example, the official gazette of Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-open No. 5775/1988).

With a monitoring apparatus hitherto proposed, however, one monitoringvideo camera is installed for each game machine, resulting in theproblem that the installation is costly.

When a plurality of game machines are to be monitored by one monitoringvideo camera for the purpose of solving the above problem, there is theproblem that the image of each monitored game machine blurs, so thewrongful act or the abnormality cannot be satisfactorily observed anddealt with.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of such problems in theprior art, and has for its object to provide a monitoring apparatus in agame hall which can improve the monitored states of individual gamemachines at a low installation cost.

In order to accomplish such an object, according to the presentinvention, there is provided a monitoring apparatus in a game hall wherea large number of game machines such as slot machines are disposed inlines, characterized by comprising a monitoring video camera whichincludes a zoom lens, and which is installed at a position formonitoring at least two game machines; preset monitoring conditionmemories in which preset monitoring conditions of the monitoring videocamera for taking a close-up of the each game machine through the zoomlens are respectively stored for the individual game machines; drivemeans for setting the monitoring video camera according to the presetmonitoring conditions; abnormality sensing means for monitoring a gamesituation; a judgement processor which analyzes information based on theabnormality sensing means, and which, upon deciding that an abnormalstate exists, controls the drive means so as to set the monitoring videocamera according to the preset monitoring conditions for the gamemachine corresponding to the abnormal state; and display means fordisplaying video information of the monitoring video camera on a screen.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises video record means for storingtherein the video information on the corresponding game machine, atleast when the judgement processor has decided the abnormal state.

Preferably, the judgement processor includes means for actuating thedisplay means to display the machine No. of the corresponding gamemachine on the screen when the game machine has been specified.

Besides, it is preferable that the display means includes abnormalitywarning means near the screen, and that the judgement processor includesmeans for actuating the abnormality warning means to give warning whenit has decided the abnormal state.

Further, it is preferable that the judgement processor includes meansfor actuating the display means to display the machine No. of thecorresponding game machine on said screen when it has decided saidabnormal state.

While covering the plurality of game machines simultaneously within itsvisual range, the monitoring video camera is monitoring the individualgame machines.

When the judgement processor has decided that there is an abnormal stateon the basis of the analysis of the information of the abnormalitysensing means, it controls the drive means so as to set the monitoringvideo camera according to the preset monitoring conditions for theabnormal game machine.

The monitoring video camera takes the close-up of the abnormal gamemachine through the zoom lens, where-upon an image in which theparticular game machine is enlarged and is easy to see is projected onto the screen of the display means.

The video record means records, at least, the video information of theabnormal state in accordance with the instruction of the judgementprocessor. The video information recorded by the video record means isto be repeatedly reproduced by the display means later, whereby theabnormality can be precisely judged to so as to able to rectify theparticular game machine.

In the case where the judgement processor actuates the display means todisplay the machine No. of the abnormal game machine on the screen uponthe specification of this game machine, it is possible to immediatelyfind which of the game machines the abnormal state has developed in.

The abnormality warning means gives the warning near the screen when thejudgement processor has decided that there is an abnormal state, therebypreventing this abnormal state from being overlooked.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the layout of a game hall.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view showing the angles of view of amonitoring video camera.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now, an embodiment of the present invention will be described inconjunction with the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, in a game ball, a large number of game machines 1such as slot machines and "pachinko" machines and chairs 3 are alignedwithin game machine islands A, B and C, and a plurality of monitoringvideo cameras 10 are installed at the central positions of both the endsof pathways 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d so that each camera may be capable ofmonitoring the game machines while covering at least two of themsimultaneously within its visual range.

Lines a and b indicate the directions of specified the game machines 1to be picked up. That is, the line a or b is the center line of eachmonitoring video camera 10, which can pick up the game machinescorresponding to one line at a time. When the angle of the monitoringvideo camera 10 is changed, another visual range can be established. Asshown in FIG. 3, the monitoring video cameras 10 are usually watchingthe pathways 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d at a certain angle of view θ. Inaddition, the angle of view θ can be changed by zooming.

The monitoring apparatus employing the monitoring video cameras 10comprises as well as these monitoring video cameras 10, abnormalitysensing means 5 (only shown in is panel C for illustration), a hallmanagement computer 20, a controller 30, a CPU 40, display units 50,ten-key keyboard and control switches 60 and video record means 70.

The abnormality sensing means 5 is configured of magnetic sensors andother sensors for monitoring various game states, and is mounted on eachof the game machines 1. The sensors used are a variety of sensors suchas one for sensing the fact that the visual range of the monitoringvideo camera 10 was blocked in excess of a predetermined time period,one for sensing the fact that the front door or glass door of the gamemachine 1 was opened, and one for sensing high-voltage noise. In somecases, data items on game medium balls received into the game machineand delivered therefrom are sensed.

The hall management computer 20 is connected to the CPU 40, and itanalyzes the information based on the abnormality sensing means 5. Upondeciding that any abnormal state exists, the computer 20 specifies theabnormal game machine 1 and notifies the CPU 40 of this machine.

The monitoring video camera 10 includes a zoom lens, and it is providedwith a horizontal position driver 11a, a vertical position driver 11b, afocus position driver 11c and a zoom position driver 11d which arecapable of regulating this monitoring video camera 10. The direction ofthe game machine 1 to become a subject can be set by the horizontalposition driver 11a as well as the vertical position driver 11b, theclose-up of the game machine 1 can be framed by the zoom position driver11d, and the monitoring video camera can be focused by the focusposition driver 11c. These drivers 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d constitutedrive means capable of setting the monitoring video camera 10 intopreset monitoring conditions for taking the close-up of each of thecorresponding game machines 1 through the zoom lens.

The horizontal position, vertical position, zoom position and focusposition of the monitoring video camera 10 are measured, and are sent tothe controller 30 as analog signals.

The controller 30 controls the monitoring video cameras 10, and itincludes A/D converters 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d, preset monitoringcondition memories 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d, and comparators 33a, 33b, 33cand 33d in correspondence with respective potentiometers 12a, 12b, 12cand 12d. The A/D converters 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d receive the analogsignals from the corresponding potentiometers and convert them intodigital signals, respectively. The present monitoring condition memories32a, 32b, 32c and 32d store the digital signals from the correspondingA/D converters therein, respectively. In the preset monitoring conditionmemories 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d, the digital signals generated when thecorresponding monitoring video camera 10 has been set according to therespective preset monitoring conditions can be stored for each of thegame machines 1.

When the hall management computer 20 has decided that any of the gamemachines 1 is in the abnormal state, the CPU 40 controls the comparators33a, 33b, 33c and 33d so as to set the monitoring video camera 10 intothe respective preset monitoring conditions for the abnormal gamemachine 1. Besides, when the game machine 1 has been specified by thehall management computer 20 or the ten-key keyboard and control switches60, the CPU 40 actuates the display unit 50 to display on the screenthereof the machine No. of the game machine 1 and the significance of adisplayed picture, such as whether the abnormal state is ascribable tothe abnormality of the game machine or the end of a game, and whetherthe abnormal state is ascribable to a wrongful act or any otherabnormality. The time of the occurrence of the abnormal state and soforth are also displayed.

The respective comparators 33a, 33b, 33c and 33d receive the digitalsignals from the corresponding A/D converters, and also receive thestored information items of the specified game machine 1 held in thecorresponding preset monitoring condition memories under the control ofthe CPU 40. Then, they detect the deviations between the currentpositions of the monitoring video camera 10 and the positions of thepreset monitoring conditions for the specified game machine 1, and theysupply the corresponding drivers with signals of values for bringing thecurrent positions into agreement with the positions of the presetmonitoring conditions, thereby controlling these drivers.

The hall management computer 20, controller 30 and CPU 40 constitute ajudgement processor which decides the end of the game and the abnormalsituation, and which controls the drivers 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d.

The plurality of display units 50 constitute display means made up ofCRTs which are connected to the CPU 40 and which display the videoinformation of the monitoring video cameras 10 on the screen thereof,and they are disposed in correspondance with the individual monitoringvideo cameras 10. In addition, each of the display units 50 includesabnormality warning means (not shown) made up of a pilot lamp, near thescreen. The abnormality warning means is controlled by the CPU 40, andit lights up or flickers to give a warning in the display unit 50corresponding to the monitoring video camera 10 pertinent to theabnormal game machine 1 when the hall management computer 20 has decidedthat the abnormal state exists.

The ten-key keyboard and control switches 60 are connected to the CPU40. Thus, when the machine No. of the game machine 1 to be monitored hasbeen set using ten-key keyboard, these switches 60 instruct the CPU 40to perform a control so that the monitoring video camera 10 may be setaccording to the preset monitoring conditions for the particular gamemachine 1 and may take a close-up picture of this game machine 1.

The video record means 70 is a video deck equipment which is connectedto the CPU 40, and which stores the video information of the gamemachine 1 on a video tape, at least, when the hall management computer20 has decided that there is the abnormal state. It is also possible toconnect a hard copy equipment capable of recording a video image itselfon a sheet of paper, to the CPU 40.

Next, the operation will be described.

The monitoring video cameras 10 are watching the game machines 1 in sucha manner that each monitoring video camera covers at least two of thegame machines 1 simultaneously within its visual range. The images ofthe plurality of game machines 1 picked up by the plurality ofmonitoring video cameras 10 are projected by the display units 50corresponding to the respective monitoring video cameras 10. Theinformation items from the various sensors constituting the abnormalitysensing means are continually sent to the hall management computer 20,which analyzes the various information items and decides if an abnormalstate occurs. This abnormal state corresponds to, for example, the endof the game, a case where any wrongful act is presumed have beencommited the blocking of the front of the monitoring video camera 10 forlonger than the predetermined time period, the opening of the frontwindow of the game machine 1, the operation of the magnetic sensor, theoperation of the noise sensor, or a case where the number of game prizeballs is abnormally large. When the game machine 1 involves such anabnormality, it is noticed.

In a previous manual operation mode, the CPU 40 is used for registeringthe machine No. of each game machine 1 and for choosing and registeringthe monitoring video camera 10 which is most suited to observe the gamemachine 1 of the registered machine No. Further, regarding themonitoring video camera 10 registered, in order to take the close-up ofthe game machine 1 of the registered machine No. and to project theimage of this game machine in a state to enable better observation, thehorizontal position, vertical position, focus position and zoom positionare regulated, the analog values of the respective potentiometers 12a,12b, 12c and 12d are converted by the corresponding A/D converters, andthe resulting digital values are stored in the respective presetmonitoring condition memories 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d. These operationsare repeated to set the preset monitoring conditions of the monitoringvideo cameras 10 for all the game machines 1 in the game hall.Incidentally, the preset monitoring conditions may well be set for acorner where the game balls are exchanged for a game prize, a gamingmedal counter, the pathways 2, 3, and 4, etc., as well as for the gamemachines 1.

In the presence of any abnormality, when the hall management computer 20has decided that an abnormal state exists through the analysis of theinformation items of the abnormality sensing means, the CPU 40 notifiedof the machine No. of the abnormal game machine 1 controls thecontroller 30 so that the monitoring video camera 10 registered as beingmost suited to observe the particular game machine 1 may be setaccording to the preset monitoring conditions for that game machine 1.The controller 30 controls the respective drivers 11a, 11b, 11c and 11dto set the monitoring video camera 10 into the preset monitoringconditions for the abnormal game machine 1.

The monitoring video camera 10 has the horizontal position and verticalposition thereof adjusted to the abnormal game machine 1 and has thezoom position and focus position of the zoom lens adjusted to the same,whereupon it quickly takes the focused close-up of the game machine 1with an appropriate framing.

The image of the game machine 1 in the abnormal state and the gameplayer of this game machine which is enlarged to enable betterobservation by the monitoring video camera 10 is projected on the screenof the display unit 50. Also, when the game machine 1 has beenspecified, the CPU 40 actuates the display unit 50 to display themachine No. of the game machine 1, the significance of the displayedpicture, such as whether the abnormal state is ascribable to the end ofthe game or to a wrongful act or any other abnormality, the time of theoccurrence of the abnormal state, and so forth on the partial area ofthe display screen of the display unit. Thus, it is possible toimmediately know which of the game machines the abnormal state hasdeveloped in.

The abnormality warning means lights up or flickers to give a warningnear the screen of the display unit 40 corresponding to the monitoringvideo camera 10 pertinent to the abnormal game machine 1 when the hallmanagement computer 20 has decided that there is an abnormal state.Thus, the abnormality warning means makes it known which of the displayunits 50 the abnormality is projected only, thereby preventing theabnormal state from being overlooked.

The video record means 70 may record video information throughoutbusiness hours or during only some of them, but it needs to record, atleast, the video information of the game machine 1 found to be in theabnormal state. The video information recorded by the video record means70 is to be repeatedly reproduced on the screen of the display unit 50later, thereby examining the situation of the abnormality bycomparisons. Thus, in the case of any wrongful act, it is possible topay attention to a suspected person and to exactly judge and specify theabnormality.

As stated above, the monitoring video camera 10 can be automatically setaccording to the preset monitoring conditions by the abnormality sensingmeans. Moreover, in such a case where a manager has been informed of anywrongful act by, e.g., a clerk, he/she manipulates the ten-key keyboardand control switches 60 so as to input the No. of the game machinedesired to be monitored, whereby the monitoring video camera 10 can beset according to the preset monitoring conditions so as to take theclose-up of the particular game machine 1, and the image of the gamemachine 1 and the game player thereof which are enlarged to enablebetter observation can be projected onto the screen of the display unit50.

In the presence of the abnormal state, it is displayed by the displayunit 50 with the game machine 1 specified. Then, the manager of the gamehall determines the abnormal state and deals with it appropriately.

Incidentally, apart from the video deck, the video record means canutilize any of various recording media such as magnetic disks andoptical disks. Apart from the cathode-ray tubes, the display means maywell be configured of any of liquid-crystal display units, etc.

Incidentally, only one display unit may well be shared by a plurality ofmonitoring video cameras. More specifically, while the hall managementcomputer 20 does not inform the CPU of any abnormal state, the CPUchanges-over the plurality of monitoring video cameras in time divisionso as to project images from these cameras on the screen of the displayunit. In this case, the images of the game machines picked up by theplurality of monitoring video cameras are changed-over by thetime-division control of the CPU. In contrast, when the hall managementcomputer has decided that any of the game machines are in an abnormalstate, the image from the monitoring video camera corresponding to theabnormal game machine is interruptively displayed in preference to theimages from the other monitoring video cameras by the display unit, andthe images of the plurality of game machines from the particular cameraare projected in succession.

Besides, the abnormality warning means may well light up or flicker togive a warning while making the distinction between the case of the endof a game and the case of a wrongful act or any other abnormality.Further, each display unit may well be provided with a plurality ofabnormality warning means, not the single means. The abnormality warningmeans may well be warning means other than the pilot lamps, such assounding means. On this occasion, the No. of the displayed machine isprojected onto a part of the screen.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

With a monitoring apparatus in a game hall according to the presentinvention, each monitoring video camera for watching a plurality of gamemachines takes a close-up of the game machine which is determined asbeing in an abnormal state, and this close-up view of the abnormal gamemachine is projected. Therefore, the monitored state of each gamemachine is improved at a low installation cost, and the invention isvery effective to promptly cope with any abnormality and to preventdishonest act.

We claim:
 1. A monitoring apparatus in a game hall where a large numberof game machines are disposed in lines, said monitoring apparatuscomprising:a monitoring video camera which includes a zoom lens, andwhich is installed at a position for monitoring at least two of saidgame machines simultaneously; preset monitoring condition memories inwhich preset monitoring conditions of said monitoring video camera fortaking a close-up of said each game machine through said zoom lens arerespectively stored for the individual game machines; drive means forsetting said monitoring video camera to face a particular game machineand driving said zoom lens to zoom according to said preset monitoringconditions; abnormality sensing means for sensing abnormalitiesoccurring in individual game machines, respectively; a judgementprocessor which analyzes information based on said abnormality sensingmeans, and which, upon deciding that an abnormal state exists, controlssaid drive means so as to set said monitoring video camera according tosaid preset monitoring conditions for a particular game machinecorresponding to the abnormal state; and display means for displayingvideo information of said monitoring video camera on a screen.
 2. Amonitoring apparatus in a game hall as defined in claim 1, characterizedby comprising video record means for storing therein the videoinformation on the corresponding game machine, at least when saidjudgement processor has decided that said abnormal state exists.
 3. Amonitoring apparatus in a game hall as defined in claim 1, characterizedin that said judgement processor includes means for actuating saiddisplay means to display machine No. of the corresponding game machineon said screen when said game machine has been specified.
 4. Amonitoring apparatus in a game hall as defined in claim 1, characterizedin that said display means includes abnormality warning means near saidscreen, and that said judgement processor includes means for actuatingsaid abnormality warning means to give a warning when it has beendecided that said abnormal state exists.
 5. A monitoring apparatus in agame hall as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said judgementprocessor includes means for actuating said display means to display themachine No. of the corresponding game machine on said screen when it hasbeen decided said abnormal state exists.